08-23-1995 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. C O M M U N I T Y P L A N N I N G • D E S I G N • M A R K E T R E S E A R C H MEMORANDUM TO: Little Canada Planning Commission FROM: Stephen Grittman DATE: August 8, 1995 RE: Little Canada - Architectural Controls in the Commercial Districts FILE NO: 758.10 - 95.10 We have spent some time researching the most commonly used means of controlling aesthetic issues in commercial districts. Some of these are aimed purely at aesthetic regulation, while others control all aspects of architectural style. An example of the latter would be historic preservation districts which are designed to retain specific elements of the existing architectural streetscape, and require new structures to conform to the existing style. An example of the former would be sign code regulation, or Little Canada's current building materials ordinance, which address appearance, but not architecture itself. Following is a brief description of the alternative methods of regulation, generally in increasing order of complexity. Some of these are currently employed by the City of Little Canada under the current Zoning Ordinance. 1. Sign Codes. Little Canada's current Ordinance regulates signs through limits on height, area, and setback. Although signs are not architecture per se, they do have a large impact on the aesthetic impression of the streetscape, sometimes even dominating the view of the commercial district. This is true in portions of the Rice Street Corridor currently. Additional sign controls which are commonly employed include materials controls which reflect the buildings in the area. Some communities require signage which is consistent with a common theme, such as monument style signs, rather than pylon signs. 5775 Wayzata Blvd. • Suite 555 • St. Louis Park, MN 55416 • (612) 595- 9636•Fax. 595 -9837 Page 82